Flying into Aceh

Might be hard to read but the sign in the upper left corner says "Ruang Merokok - Smoking Room" - a place in the waiting room before boarding...the funny or ironic(?) thing is that there's no roof/top so the smoke just bellows out (kinda like in the smoking section of a restaurant I guess). Most Indonesian men smoke thanks to great advertising from the West.
Here's J getting the carseat set in the back of the Cessna.


Here's a video from when we were getting ready to take off from Medan to Aceh...


Here's a final video that shows what it looks like flying into Aceh...
We all arrived safely & Elijah enjoyed hanging out on the tarmac while we loaded up our stuff.

Medan Transport

This is what's called an "ojek" - a motorbike w/ a sidecar for passengers...

After a hot, dusty ride we pulled out the water bottles (no such thing as drinking from the faucet here!)
And later some ice cream....nothing like this in Calang :)

Lounging...

So on our way into Aceh we stopped @ the biggest city on the island, Medan & were blessed w/ this fabulous find...a little fold up chair for bathing babies....& keeping loungin' hot ones cool w/ the great mesh fabric :)

Since we're on the lounging theme, here's a pix from the guesthouse we stayed @ while in Medan...

Medan

So from Jakarta we flew to Medan where we spent a couple days getting supplies not available in Aceh. We found a great stroller @ the mall which we were waiting to get as a gift from Mom J's good friend Nell. Thx so much Aunt Nell, we love it!
It fits inside a backpack - perfect for traveling!

And here we are using it @ a nearby park there in Medan...
Hard to see in the pix in the park but this sign is saying "No sellers allowed" w/ them right beneath the sign...kinda funny.

Also a thx goes out to the Stables for passing on their boys' floor mat play area - saw one in the baby store in Medan (same place we found the stroller) the playmat was $60, unbelievable!

Heading to Sumatra

We finallly were ready to leave Bandung as a fam but stopped through Jakarta & Medan on our way back into Aceh. We took the train from Bandung to Jakarta.


Here's a video clip from an afternoon in Jakarta, the capital city which evidently never sleeps...

Dinner with Family & Friends

Before we all 3 left Bandung for Aceh, our homestay family hosted a yummy meal - kinda like a "steamboat" dinner for those that are familiar w/ that term :)So Elijah enjoyed being held by all...


Here's the ladies all together...


We really enjoyed spending time again here!

Hyatt

We celebrated Elijah's 4 mo bday w/ a breakfast buffet @ the Hyatt - yummy! Thx for being born 'Jah ;)

RETREAT!

When J got back from his week & 1/2 in Aceh we had the chance to hang out with folks in Bandung before we all headed into Aceh together - was a good time to reconnect.

Elijah got to hang out in the sink when we first arrived to the hostel & were getting setup - don't feel sorry for him, he had a blast ;)
We went out to dinner at a sweet place overlooking the city of Bandung. Elijah's throne was composed of the chairs there - what a sight!




We celebrated a birthday, made pizza together & even some popcorn (see video below)...good times.

Just the 2 of Us...

Realized I did more clips of 'Jah (what we fondly call Elijah) while J was away than I normally do... Jah's expressing some of his thoughts...can hardly wait 'til we can understand him!

And another one after a bath...know watching an infant wiggle around for most folks isn't that exciting, but the g-parents will love it :)

Animals Aplenty

"Tokay" (some folks call it a "Pakay" )- evidently you can get alot of $ for these lizards...wasn't really interested in catching this guy though right outside our room while in Bandung!




When we visited @ Pak Bandi's we got to see a mamma cat...was thankful for only 1 baby to take care of ;)

While in Bandung...

Elijah's changing station while on the road...floor of the car.
Visiting back with Pak Bandi"s fam...
My job while J was away...update our blog! This pix & video were taken @ an internet cafe we frequented...


Here's little E still sleeping while needing to be changed...

Well, we posted him trying an apple, here his 1st pear.

Bajigur - our fav Indo drink - a hot, sweet drink like coffee but no caffeine :)

Loves his blue blanket - thanks Mom J!

While the Cat's Away the Mice Will Play...

OK, not really play so much but we did have Elijah's first hospital trip to see our friend's father

We also went back to the home where J & I used to live in Bandung & joined the women in aerobics again :) Here's the aerobics teacher - 40+ years old, can you believe it?!

BEC

We spent a couple different mornings at a place in Bandung called BEC (Bandung Electronics Center) for various stuff & captured some pix & videos for fun...here's a couple pix from when we set him up on a couch at the food court:


Elijah was also finding his voice during these few days so we'll post a few videos (this is for his grandparents!)

Oceans Apart...

Ok, actually only 1 ocean was between us (well just Malacca Straits) while E & e stayed in Bandung, J headed into Aceh early...via train, car & plane - here's a couple pix before we parted @ the train station.We hung out @ a cafe while waiting for the train to arrive...

Our 1st time as a family apart for 10 days!

Bandung Zoo

J was sweet enough to go get our home set back up in Aceh while little E & I stayed in our former homestay with our good friends Arief & Poppy in Bandung.  We had a chance to go to the zoo w/ Arief's sister Lia.  Tried Elijah "facing out" for the 1st time in his carrier, the zoo seemed as good excuse as any to try it. :)

I'm a huge fan of monkeys - this one just seemed to enjoy his contemplative stance.
Couldn't decide if folks liked looking at the caged animals more or Elijah!

Discovered the meaning of a new word for me "Galak" - it means something like "evil doer" - so the sign's saying "be careful, he's hateful" - found out what "Galak" meant by reaching out to touch his hand & he responded by trying to jerk me into his cage - so much for my cute ideas about monkeys.

I'm not a huge bird fan but when I see a big weird one like I've never seen before it's pretty interesting - this guy's from Papua, all the way on the other side of Indo. Below is a quick clip of a field trip Indo style & the bear they all were looking at.